1. The ACA & You!
Date:
Location/Event:
Education. Recreation. Stewardship. Exploration. Competition.

2. Who is the ACA?
The ACA & YOU!
Founded in 1880, the American Canoe Association (ACA) is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit organization serving the broader paddling public by providing EDUCATION related to all aspects of paddling; STEWARDSHIP support to help protect paddling environments; and sanctioning of programs and events to promote paddlesport COMPETITION, EXPLORATION and RECREATION.

3. ACA History 1880: Established on August 3rd by twenty-three
The ACA & You!
1880: Established on August 3rd by twenty-three
notable canoeists on Lake George, NY
1903: Purchased Sugar Island in Canada
1927: Incorporated in NY
1944: Women given the right to vote in ACA
1979: ACA Slalom & Wildwater Teams win
World Championships!
1980: Susan Chamberlin is the first woman to be
elected Commodore
1990’s: Clean Water Act enforcement (24 cases)
2004: Strategic Tenets of the ACA defined
2008: Founded the National Paddlesports Conference
2010: Rapid Media becomes official magazine partner
2014: Hosted the inaugural Adaptive Paddling Summit
2017: Became the National Governing Body (NGB) for the Olympic
sports of slalom and sprint, and the Paralympic sport of paracanoe 3

4. Education Stewardship Competition Exploration Recreation
Strategic Tenets
The ACA & YOU!
Education
Stewardship
Competition
Exploration
Recreation

5. Education Safety Education & Instruction Council
The ACA & YOU!
Safety Education & Instruction Council
Learn to Paddle Initiative
Youth Development Program
Extensive Paddlesports Safety Education Information
National Leader in Paddlesports Education & Instruction
Courses: Skills, Assessments, Certifications

6. ACA Instructor Certification Program
The ACA & YOU!
Established 1972
8,500 certified Instructors – 250 certified Instructor Trainers
Canoe (Touring, FreeStyle, River)
Kayak (River, Coastal, Surf, Prone, Surfski)
Raft
Safety & Rescue
Adaptive Paddling
Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
Estimated 809,000 students taught annually

7. Stewardship Water Trails Database L.L.Bean Stewardship Grants
The ACA & YOU!
Water Trails Database
L.L.Bean Stewardship Grants
Environmental Film of the Year
Local, Regional & National Initiatives
Founding Member - Outdoor Alliance
Enhance water quality
Support local waterway access projects

8. Recreation Support over 4,000 yearly events
The ACA & YOU!
Support over 4,000 yearly events
Promote paddlesports events across
the nation
Sanctioned over 200 races
Provide insurance for club events and festivals
Support the development of new initiatives for paddlesports recreation opportunities

9. Competition – Olympic & Paralympic
The ACA & YOU!
The ACA is the National Governing Body (NGB) for the Olympic paddlesports of canoe slalom and canoe sprint and the Paralympic sport of Paracanoe. Both disciplines include events for both canoe and kayak.

10. Competition – International Canoe Federation
The ACA & YOU!
The ACA is recognized by the International Canoe Federation (ICF) for the non-Olympic paddlesports of:
Whitewater Freestyle
Ocean Racing (Surfski)
Marathon
Wildwater
Canoe Polo
Dragon Boat

11. Competition Outrigger FreeStyle Canoeing Canoe Sailing Canoe Poling
The ACA & YOU!
Outrigger
FreeStyle Canoeing
Canoe Sailing
Canoe Poling
Open Canoe Slalom
Collegiate Canoe & Kayak Championship Race Series
Whitewater Open Canoe Downriver
Youth Races

12. Paddlesports Participation
The ACA & YOU!
Paddlesport participation is at it’s highest levels in the history of the sport.
The paddlesport community needs to expand it’s entry level education opportunities for paddlers.

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Today’s Objectives
The ACA & YOU!
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14. ACA Leadership Academy
Oklahoma City, OK August 24-30, 2018
As part of the ACA’s leadership role in the paddlesports community, we have transitioned to the new ACA Leadership Academy to target all facets of the paddlesports community.
This brand new program will have educational tracks for paddling
clubs, competition disciplines, the SEIC, retail store employees, as well as whitewater and flatwater paddling opportunities.
The new ACA Leadership Academy will take place in conjunction with Paddlesports Retailer.

15. Connect
The ACA & YOU!

16. Canoe • Kayak • SUP • Raft • Rescue
Contact Information
The ACA & YOU!
ACA
Canoe • Kayak • SUP • Raft • Rescue
503 Sophia St. Suite 100
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
[fax]